These 20 masterpieces of design form the perfect collection

Following on from the 2015 FIAC art fair in Paris, Artcurial will hold a remarkable auction on 27 October, offering 20 masterpieces of design that would form ‘the perfect collection’, according to auctioneer Emmanuel Berard…

The 20 objects were consigned by Berard, the head of the design department at Artcurial, and Fabien Naudan, the auction house’s vice president. Included in the collection are important works from French, Italian and Scandinavian design history, comprising both early formative works and contemporary classics. 

Take, for example, the ultra-rare ‘Bone Chair’ by Finn Juhl, or the late 1950s hanging lamp by Ettore Sottsass, which has never before been sold at auction. French design legends Charlotte Perriand and Jean Prouvé are well represented, as are the old masters Robert Mallet-Stevens, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld and Jean Royère. “This perfect collection brings our masterpieces together,” said Berard. “Of course, the selection is subjective, but each piece holds a place in the history of design. It wasn’t easy to bring them all together, and we’re very proud of the result. Each object is unique, and we hope that collectors will share our enthusiasm for them.”

Among the objects is the bookshelf of Charlotte Perriand, created in the studio of Jean Prouvé for the ‘Maison du Mexique’, which can be seen for the first time in its original form. It’s estimated at 80,000-120,000 euros. From Prouvé, there's also the table ‘Trapèze’, which once served as a dinner table for teachers at a university. It’s estimated at a staggering 500,000-700,000 euros.

Photos: Artcurial

You can find all 20 masterpieces of design from Artcurial’s sale here.